War Anime?

[laceproductions]

I have an idea and I realize my own knowledge of shows is rather limited, especially when it comes to depictions of wars/battles/ect. I'm looking for more realistic and 'modern' depictions, not fantasy or sci-fi settings. Guns, bombs, ect. I'd love if the whole show(s) are about the subject matter, but if there's a good episode or two or some really good scenes that would help as well.

any suggestions?

[Kireblue]

Despite Gate technically being an isekai, the battles are pretty grounded to earth (despite always being a complete one-sided massacre)

[Zeonic Freak]

There's a dozen war based anime that isn't considered science fiction or Isekai.

Animetary: Ketsudan - https://tatsunoko.fandom.com/wiki/Animentary:_Decision

This is a 70's documentary style anime depicting the war from the Japanese perspective. There are raws of this on nyaa last I checked so you're welcome to check it out. Not sure if theres a fansub for it but I believe someone did the first episode years back.

Area 88 - The manga was written in the early 80's and wrapped up near the 90's, but its around a character that's forced against his will to fight with a mercenary flight group in the middle east. There is a 2000's anime series and a 3 part OVA series from the 80's. I highly recommend watching it.

Cat Shit One - Think bunny rabbits and Call of Duty/Metal Gear Solid. Also based off a manga that only had a one shot OVA adaptation. It's enjoyable to watch as cute bunnies pull off special ops combat against camels in the desert.

Girls und Panzer - Ok, this is simulation war with high school girls in mock battles in tanks, but really detailed in terms of how the tanks function and work, and their history throughout the show. I remember Tiffany Grant tell me about trying to get all the info right for the show when she did ADR work for it and how it about turned her head in circles haha. Also a highly recommended light hearted fun show, and the Japanese being Japanese.

Armored Trooper Votoms - It's science fiction with mechs, but to me personally its such a gritty war show even if its science fiction. If you watch the OVA's which tell the backstory of the main protagonist, you'll get a sense of the realism in that world. I'd recommend checking out Armored Hunter Mellowlink, which is if Japan adapted Rambo to anime and Rambo fought against mechs, its so badass, and its done right surprisingly.

Mobile Suit Gundam: 08th MS Team - If you know of the world of Gundam, just think if Gundams were in the Vietnam War. I actually did a couple of 08th MS Team AMV trailers using the films from Apocalypse Now and Platoon because both those films being one of the few good Vietnam War films that fit the theme of 08th MS Team, and I enjoyed making them. They're on my profile if you want to check them out.

The Cockpit - A three part OVA from esteemed anime directors at the time telling the perspective of the war from the Axis point of view. One episode through the eyes of a German Pilot, one through a Japanese Kamikaze pilot, and the other from a Japanese plane pit crew trying to survive their island being invaded by the Americans.

I actually did a panel at AWA back in 2019 IIRC which I called it "Anime At War," and it went over very well for the attendees at the con. I think what I have listed is a pretty good start for you and hope that helps out in what your looking for.

[laceproductions]

Despite Gate technically being an isekai, the battles are pretty grounded to earth (despite always being a complete one-sided massacre)

I'll add it to the list. Based on the example I might be able to make some of it work.

[laceproductions]

There's a dozen war based anime that isn't considered science fiction or Isekai.

I had discounted 08th MS Team due to being Gundam and not wanting giant robots being a focus at all in this, and Votoms for it's Sci-Fi setting. But I'll give them both another look. Thanks for the suggestions, it helps.

[Zeonic Freak]

There's a dozen war based anime that isn't considered science fiction or Isekai.

I had discounted 08th MS Team due to being Gundam and not wanting giant robots being a focus at all in this, and Votoms for it's Sci-Fi setting. But I'll give them both another look. Thanks for the suggestions, it helps.

Well here's a link to the video I used for my panel, there was a couple of titles I forgot about, but if you look at the source and it's something you want to use then go for it:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZwqBZH ... sp=sharing